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So we are getting married in May and honeymooning in June. We are looking for a nice, luxurious resort with solid rooms (jacuzzi?) and amenities. We are not looking for an All-Inclusive, because we don't drink alcohol. However, we LOVE to eat lol. So an AI is not completely out of the question.

We are looking for regular water activities. Jetskis, parasailing, snorkeling, diving, etc...

I know the budget is not high, but that's all we got. Let me know what you guys recommend. I will keep browsing this forum.

I think the budget is OK but you aren't going to quite get a "luxurious resort" for that price.

(as an example) a quick check I see airfare from SFO to Cabo San Lucas is $400 or Puerto Vallarta is $500 per person that time of year.

So for a 5 day stay that leaves you $200-$240 for both of you per day for a hotel room and all your meals. If you stay 7 days then only $171-142/day for everything. Certainly it can be done, and you can find a fun place, but I think you're a little bit over expecting what you'll get for the price, even in Mexico.

Those activities you mention (except possibly jetskis at certain resorts) most would be extra, and they are not cheap.

There are tons of places that would probably meet your requirements for a luxury-ish place on the beach. Just a matter of finding one with a good reputation available for a good price in a place with good airfare possibilities.

Just for an example, at bookit.com leaving NYC June 3 and returning June 8, there are multiple packages where it would be under $2200 for two people, including airfare, while staying in Cancun (just to use one example).

Now, of course the budget won't mean staying in the very most expensive places, but there are plenty of resorts on the beach in their price range.

Every honeymoon goes a little over budget, but their budget could easily cover hotel plus airfare (meals, excursions, activities etc would be extra of course

It just depends on the resort that is chosen. We stayed at the Marina Fiesta in Cabo San Lucas and did thier all inclusive for $2,100 for 2 people including air for 6 nights. We loved the location being right on the Marina and within walking distance to everything. We found the food to be very good compared to the Caribbean side of Mexico.

We have frequented the Playa del Carmen/Cancun/Conzumel area for the past 12 years. Resorts are more diverse and less expensive than Cabo San Lucas. There are several boutique hotels in close proximity of 5th Avenue. Depending on the time of year, we have gotten for way less than $2,000 with air for 2 people for 4 - 5 nights.

Cozumel is less expensive than Playa del Carmen in our experience. Of course, we are not staying at the most popular AI hotels for that price. We usually go for a 3* AI so we can still eat and drink off property and not feel like we've wasted money.

As a retired guy on a limited budget I must economizer on my yearly stay in Mexico for the Winter. However on our Luna de Miel we stayed at the (IMO) the best hotel in Mexico the Quinta Real in Gudalajara eating in the best restaurants, allowing my bride to shop her heart out spending about $3,500 total in 1998. Possibly the best money we ever spent.
My point being a Honeymoon is not the time to skimp. It may mean rice & beans when you get home for a while but let loose on this most important trip.
Just my Many pesos worth. Smile

I have to disagree. A honeymoon is what you make of it and not how much you spend on it. We spent our honeymoon in Cozumel, MX at a 3* AI for 4 nights for $1,200, and it's still one of the best vacations and destinations we have done in 12 years of marriage because it meant something to us, not because of how much money we did or did not spend.

We have returned to Cozumel 3 seperate times since then, and have been to many other destinations in the Caribean, Mexico and US. You don't have to blow a budget on hotel, food and shopping to have a great and authenic honeymoon or vacation. It more about attitude and having an open mind. In general, it's never a wise idea to overspend on anything or spend outside of one's comfort zone.

To the OP, I'm sorry, but that budget will probably not get you everything you want on your list. Pick the most important items like location and hotel and compromise on the hotel's amenities.